Air-conditioning device

ABSTRACT

An air-conditioning device includes: a suction air temperature sensor provided in an indoor unit; a wireless temperature sensor unit separate from the indoor unit; an abnormal condition determining section determining whether or not the wireless temperature sensor unit is in an abnormal condition; an index setting section setting a temperature index value; and a controller controlling operation of the air-conditioning device based on the set temperature index value. While the abnormal condition determining section determines that the wireless temperature sensor unit is in the abnormal condition, the index setting section determines a measurement value of the suction air temperature sensor to be the temperature index value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.16/073,240, filed on Jul. 26, 2018, which is the National Phase under 35U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2017/001495, filedon Jan. 18, 2017, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) toPatent Application No. 2016-031432, filed in Japan on Feb. 22, 2016, allof which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the presentapplication.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an air-conditioning device.

BACKGROUND ART

An air-conditioning device conditioning air in an indoor space has beenknown (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The air-conditioning deviceincludes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit which are connected togetherthrough pipes. Operation of the air-conditioning device is controlled bya controller. Patent Document 2 discloses the provision of a suction airtemperature sensor that is used to measure the temperature of air takeninto the indoor unit.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.2011-099612

Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.2014-137161

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

In addition to the suction air temperature sensor, an ambienttemperature sensor that measures an ambient temperature may be providedat an optional location in an indoor space to obtain information on theair temperature at the optional location. In this case, in order to beable to be installed at an optional location, the ambient temperaturesensor suitably forms a portable wireless temperature sensor unittogether with a transmitter capable of transmitting a signal of themeasured value by radio.

The controller controls operation of the air-conditioning device, basedon measurement values of the suction air temperature sensor and theambient temperature sensor, so that the indoor temperature approaches,for example, a predetermined target temperature. In this case, thewireless temperature sensor unit may be used while being installed neara person present in the room. In such a situation, the measurement valueof the ambient temperature sensor is suitably used to control operationof the air-conditioning device to improve comfort.

However, the wireless temperature sensor unit is not always used in anappropriate manner. For example, if the wireless temperature sensor unitis installed near any other heater during a heating operation, themeasurement value of the ambient temperature sensor is higher than theactual indoor temperature. Such a situation is an example of a conditionwhere the wireless temperature sensor unit fails to function normally.This condition is hereinafter referred to as a condition where “thewireless temperature sensor unit is in an abnormal condition.” If themeasurement value of the ambient temperature sensor is used to controloperation of the air-conditioning device while the wireless temperaturesensor unit is in an abnormal condition, air in the entire indoor spacemay be prevented from being appropriately conditioned. For example, inthe foregoing case, the measurement value of the ambient temperaturesensor is higher than the temperature of the air in the entire indoorspace. This allows the air in the entire indoor space to be heated onlyto a temperature lower than a target temperature even if a heatingoperation is performed based on the measurement value. In addition, itis also assumed that the wireless temperature sensor unit may fail totransmit a signal of the measurement value of the ambient temperaturesensor due to a dead battery. In this case, the air-conditioning devicemay be uncontrollable.

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of thepresent invention to allow air at an optional location in an indoorspace to be conditioned, and to allow air in the entire indoor space tobe appropriately conditioned.

Solution to the Problem

A first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to anair-conditioning device (10) conditioning air in an indoor space (500).The device includes: an indoor unit (12) drawing indoor air, adjusting atemperature of the indoor air drawn, and expelling the indoor air intothe indoor space (500); a suction air temperature sensor (61) providedin the indoor unit (12) to measure the temperature of the indoor airdrawn into the indoor unit (12); a wireless temperature sensor unit (13)separate from the indoor unit (12), the wireless temperature sensor unit(13) including an ambient temperature sensor (13 b) and a transmitter(13 c), the ambient temperature sensor (13 b) measuring an ambienttemperature, the transmitter (13 c) transmitting a signal of ameasurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b) byradio; a receiving section (63 a) receiving the signal transmitted bythe transmitter (13 c); an abnormal condition determining section (63 b)determining whether or not the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) isin an abnormal condition; an index setting section (63 c) setting atemperature index value serving as an index of indoor temperature; and acontroller (28, 66) controlling operation of the air-conditioning device(10) based on the temperature index value set by the index settingsection (63 c). While the abnormal condition determining section (63 b)determines that the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in theabnormal condition, the index setting section (63 c) determines ameasurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61) to bethe temperature index value.

According to the first aspect, the wireless temperature sensor unit (13)is used to measure the air temperature at an optional location in theindoor space (500), and the measurement value (Tm2) is used to controloperation of the air-conditioning device (10). This allows air at theoptional location in the indoor space (500) to be conditioned. On theother hand, if the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in theabnormal condition, controlling the operation of the air-conditioningdevice (10) based on the measurement value (Tm2) of the ambienttemperature sensor (13 b) may prevent air in the entire indoor space(500) from being appropriately conditioned as described above. Toaddress this problem, in the first aspect, if the wireless temperaturesensor unit (13) is in the abnormal condition, the operation of theair-conditioning device (10) is controlled based on the measurementvalue (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61). This allows theair in the entire indoor space (500) to be appropriately conditionedeven if the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in the abnormalcondition.

The second aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of thefirst aspect. In the second aspect, while the abnormal conditiondetermining section (63 b) determines that the wireless temperaturesensor unit (13) is not in the abnormal condition, the index settingsection (63 c) determines the measurement value (Tm2) of the ambienttemperature sensor (13 b) to be the temperature index value.

Here, the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is highly likely to bearranged near a person in the room. That is why using the measurementvalue (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b) to control theoperation of the air-conditioning device (10) is highly likely to allowthe person in the room to feel more comfortable than using themeasurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61).Thus, in the second aspect, if the wireless temperature sensor unit (13)is not in the abnormal condition, the measurement value (Tm2) of theambient temperature sensor (13 b) is used to control the operation ofthe air-conditioning device (10).

A third aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of the firstor second aspect. In the third aspect, the abnormal conditiondetermining section (63 b) is configured to, if an absolute value of adifference between the measurement value (Tm1) of the suction airtemperature sensor (61) and the measurement value (Tm2) of the ambienttemperature sensor (13 b) is greater than or equal to a predeterminedtemperature difference threshold (ΔTth), determine that the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) is in the abnormal condition.

According to the third aspect, the suction air temperature sensor (61)measures the temperature of air actually drawn by the indoor unit (12).That is why the measurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperaturesensor (61) is less likely to differ significantly from the actual roomtemperature. Meanwhile, the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) may bearranged near any other heater, in the sunshine near a window, or at anyother similar location. In this case, the measurement value (Tm2) of theambient temperature sensor (13 b) differs significantly from the actualroom temperature. Thus, if the measurement value (Tm1) of the suctionair temperature sensor (61) is significantly different from themeasurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b), adetermination is made that the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) isin the abnormal condition, and the measurement value (Tm1) of thesuction air temperature sensor (61) is thus used to control theoperation of the air-conditioning device (10). This allows air in theentire indoor space (500) to be more appropriately conditioned.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of any one ofthe first to third aspects. In the fourth aspect, the abnormal conditiondetermining section (63 b) is configured to, if the measurement value(Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61) is less than or equalto a predetermined first temperature threshold (Tth1) or greater than orequal to a predetermined second temperature threshold (Tth2) greaterthan the first temperature threshold (Tth1), determine that the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) is in the abnormal condition.

According to the fourth aspect, if the measurement value (Tm1) of thesuction air temperature sensor (61) is excessively low or high, theabnormal condition determining section (63 b) determines that thewireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in the abnormal condition. Forexample, if the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is installed at alocation having a temperature significantly different from the averageair temperature in the entire indoor space (500), the measurement value(Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b) is significantlydifferent from the average air temperature in the entire indoor space(500). If, in this state, air is conditioned based on the measurementvalue (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b), the temperature ofair in the entire indoor space (500) becomes excessively low or high.This results in that the measurement value (Tm1) of the suction airtemperature sensor (61) becomes excessively low or high. In the fourthaspect, in such a case, a determination is made that the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) is in the abnormal condition, and themeasurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61) isthus used to control the operation of the air-conditioning device (10).This allows air in the entire indoor space (500) to be moreappropriately conditioned.

If the temperature of air in the entire indoor space (500) isexcessively low or high, controlling the operation of theair-conditioning device (10) based on the measurement value (Tm2) of theambient temperature sensor (13 b) of the wireless temperature sensorunit (13) in the abnormal condition may cause an excessive load to beapplied to components of the air-conditioning device (10). For example,if the room temperature in the indoor space (500) is excessively highwhile the measurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13b) is low, controlling the operation of the air-conditioning device (10)based on the measurement value (Tm2) causes an excessive load to beapplied to the components of the air-conditioning device (10) in orderto further increase the heating capacity of the air-conditioning device(10). Then, an excessive load continuously applied to the components ofthe air-conditioning device (10) may lead to a breakdown in theair-conditioning device (10). To address this problem, in the fourthaspect, if the air temperature in the entire indoor space (500) isexcessively low or high, the measurement value (Tm1) of the suction airtemperature sensor (61) is used to control the operation of theair-conditioning device (10). This prevents an excessive load from beingapplied to the components of the air-conditioning device (10), and thusprevents the air-conditioning device (10) from being broken.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of any one ofthe first to fourth aspects. In the fifth aspect, the abnormal conditiondetermining section (63 b) is configured to, if the receiving section(63 a) has not received the signal from the wireless temperature sensorunit (13) yet, determine that the wireless temperature sensor unit (13)is in the abnormal condition.

According to the fifth aspect, if no signal from the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) is recognized, the measurement value (Tm1)of the suction air temperature sensor (61) is used to control theoperation of the air-conditioning device (10). This allows air in theentire indoor space (500) to be more appropriately conditioned.

A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of any one ofthe first to fifth aspects. In the sixth aspect, the air-conditioningdevice further includes: a receiver unit (63) including the receivingsection (63 a), the abnormal condition determining section (63 b), andthe index setting section (63 c), the receiver unit (63) being housed inthe indoor unit (12).

According to the sixth aspect, the receiving section (63 a), theabnormal condition determining section (63 b), and the index settingsection (63 c) are provided in the same unit (i.e., the receiver unit(63)).

Advantages of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a wireless temperaturesensor unit (13) is used to condition air at an optional location in anindoor space (500). Additionally, even if the wireless temperaturesensor unit (13) is in an abnormal condition, air in the entire indoorspace (500) can be appropriately conditioned.

According to the second aspect, a measurement value (Tm2) of an ambienttemperature sensor (13 b) of the wireless temperature sensor unit (13)that is highly likely to be arranged near a person in the room is usedto control operation of an air-conditioning device (10). This canimprove the comfort of the person in the room.

According to the third to fifth aspects, air in the entire indoor space(500) can be more appropriately conditioned. Moreover, according to thefourth aspect, the air-conditioning device (10) can be prevented frombeing broken.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing a general configurationof an air-conditioning device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 schematically shows how the air-conditioning device of theembodiment is installed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an indoor unit viewed obliquely frombelow.

FIG. 4 schematically shows configurations of components of theair-conditioning device.

FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram showing how an abnormal conditiondetermining section determines a condition of a wireless temperaturesensor unit.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail withreference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely anexemplary one in nature, and is not intended to limit the scope,applications, or use of the invention.

Configuration of Air-conditioning Device

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an air-conditioning device (10) of thisembodiment includes an outdoor unit (11), an indoor unit (12), and awireless temperature sensor unit (13). The outdoor unit (11) and theindoor unit (12) are connected together through pipes to form arefrigerant circuit (20), which performs a vapor compressionrefrigeration cycle.

The outdoor unit (11) includes a compressor (21), a four-way switchingvalve (22), an outdoor heat exchanger (23), an outdoor fan (24), anexpansion valve (25), and an outdoor controller (28). The outdoor unit(11) is disposed outdoors as shown in FIG. 2. The air-conditioningdevice (10) is configured such that switching the four-way switchingvalve (22) allows the direction of flow of a refrigerant in therefrigerant circuit (20) to be changed reversibly.

The indoor unit (12) includes an indoor heat exchanger (26) and anindoor fan (27). As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit (12) is embedded inan opening of an indoor ceiling. That is to say, the indoor unit (12) ofthis embodiment is configured as a so-called ceiling-embedded indoorunit. A configuration of the indoor unit (12) will be described below indetail. The compressor (21) and the indoor fan (27) constitutecomponents.

The wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is separate from the indoorunit (12), and can be installed at an optional location in an indoorspace (500) (e.g., near a person present in the indoor space (500)) asshown in FIG. 2. The wireless temperature sensor unit (13) includes aunit case (13 a), an ambient temperature sensor (13 b), and atransmitter (13 c). The ambient temperature sensor (13 b) is disposed inthe unit case (13 a) to measure an ambient temperature. The transmitter(13 c) is disposed in the unit case (13 a) to transmit, by radio, asignal of a measurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor(13 b) to a receiver unit (63) described below.

The transmitter (13 c) of the wireless temperature sensor unit (13)generates a signal including at least the measurement value (Tm2) of theambient temperature sensor (13 b), and transmits the generated signal byradio. The transmitter (13 c) is configured to communicate with thereceiver unit (63) once every predetermined time period (e.g., onceevery 10 seconds). The transmitter (13 c) is configured so as to beprevented from transmitting the signal of the measurement value (Tm2) ofthe ambient temperature sensor (13 b) to the receiver unit (63) if thedifference between the temperature transmitted last time and thecurrently detected temperature is small (e.g., if the difference is0.05° C. or less). The wireless temperature sensor unit (13) isconfigured to, when the remaining power of a built-in battery decreasesto a low level, stop the transmission of the measurement value (Tm2) ofthe ambient temperature sensor (13 b) and allow a built-in LED (notshown) to blink.

Configuration of Indoor Unit

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the indoor unit (12) includes a casing (30).The casing (30) is provided on a ceiling (501) of the indoor space(500). The casing (30) is comprised of a casing body (31) and adecorative panel (32). The casing (30) houses the indoor fan (27) andthe indoor heat exchanger (26). The casing (30) further houses a suctionair temperature sensor (61), the receiver unit (63), and an indoorcontroller (66).

The casing body (31) is mounted by being inserted in an opening in theceiling (501) of the indoor space (500). The casing body (31) has agenerally rectangular parallelepiped box-like shape with its lower endopen.

The indoor fan (27) is a centrifugal blower which draws air from belowand expels the air radially outward. The indoor fan (27) is arranged atthe center in the casing body (31).

The indoor heat exchanger (26) is a so-called cross-fin-typefin-and-tube heat exchanger. The air expelled by the indoor fan (27)passes through the indoor heat exchanger (26). The indoor heat exchanger(26) allows the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger (26) toexchange heat with the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit.

The decorative panel (32) is a resinous member formed into a thickrectangular plate-like shape. A lower portion of the decorative panel(32) is in a square shape slightly larger than the casing body (31). Thedecorative panel (32) is arranged to cover the lower end of the casingbody (31). The lower surface of the decorative panel (32) serves as alower surface of the casing (30) and is exposed to the indoor space(500).

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the decorative panel (32) includes a centralsection having a square inlet opening (33). The inlet opening (33)passes through the decorative panel (32) in the vertical direction andcommunicates with the interior of the casing (30). The inlet opening(33) is provided with a grid-like intake grille (41).

The decorative panel (32) includes a generally rectangular annular airoutlet (36) surrounding the inlet opening (33). As illustrated in FIG.3, the air outlet (36) is divided into four main outlet openings (34)and four auxiliary outlet openings (35).

The main outlet openings (34) are narrow openings disposed along thefour sides of the decorative panel (32). Each side of the decorativepanel (32) is provided with one main outlet opening. Each of theauxiliary outlet openings (35) is in the shape of a quarter of a circle.The auxiliary outlet openings (35) are disposed at the four corners ofthe decorative panel (32). Each corner of the decorative panel (32) isprovided with one auxiliary outlet opening.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, each main outlet opening (34) is provided withan airflow direction adjusting flap (51). The airflow directionadjusting flap (51) is a member for adjusting the direction of supplyairflow (i.e., the direction of flow of the conditioned air coming fromthe main outlet openings (34)). The airflow direction adjusting flap(51) changes the direction of supply airflow upward and downward. Thatis, the airflow direction adjusting flap (51) changes the direction ofsupply airflow such that the angle between the direction of supplyairflow and the horizontal direction changes.

<Suction Air Temperature Sensor>

The suction air temperature sensor (61) is configured to measure thetemperature of indoor air drawn into the casing (30) through the inletopening (33). The suction air temperature sensor (61) is connected to aninput connector (63 d) of the receiver unit (63) through a sensor signalline (62) as shown in FIG. 4. The input connector (63 d) is configuredas, for example, a general-purpose connector.

<Receiver Unit>

As shown in FIG. 4, the receiver unit (63) includes the input connector(63 d), which is connected to the sensor signal line (62) extending fromthe suction air temperature sensor (61) as described above. The receiverunit (63) is configured to receive a signal of a measurement value (Tm1)of the suction air temperature sensor (61) from the suction airtemperature sensor (61) by wire.

As shown in FIG. 4, the receiver unit (63) includes a receiving section(63 a), an abnormal condition determining section (63 b), and an indexsetting section (63 c). The receiver unit (63) is configured to transmita signal of a temperature index value set by the index setting section(63 c) to the indoor controller (66).

As shown in FIG. 4, the receiver unit (63) includes an output connector(63 e), which is connected to one end of a control signal line (64). Theother end of the control signal line (64) is connected to a common inputconnector (66 a) of the indoor controller (66).

The receiver unit (63) is connected to the indoor controller (66)through a power line (65), and is further configured to receive powerfrom the indoor controller (66) through the power line (65).

Note that the receiver unit (63) includes a plurality of LEDs (notshown). The receiver unit (63) is configured to change the mode in whichthe LEDs blink between a case where the wireless temperature sensor unit(13) is broken and a case where the receiver unit (63) is broken. Thereceiver unit (63) is configured to, if the wireless temperature sensorunit (13) is broken, change the mode in which the LEDs blink inaccordance with which of the battery and body of the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) needs to be replaced. The receiver unit(63) is further configured to, if the receiver unit (63) is broken,change the mode in which the LEDs blink in accordance with the type of acomponent that needs to be replaced.

[Receiving Section]

The receiving section (63 a) is configured to receive a signal of themeasurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b). Thissignal is transmitted from the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) byradio. The receiving section (63 a) transfers the received signal of themeasurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b) to theabnormal condition determining section (63 b).

[Abnormal Condition Determining Section]

The abnormal condition determining section (63 b) is configured todetermine whether or not the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is inan abnormal condition, based on the measurement value (Tm1) of thesuction air temperature sensor (61) and the measurement value (Tm2) ofthe ambient temperature sensor (13 b).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, if at least one of the following threeconditions (A) to (C) is satisfied while the wireless temperature sensorunit (13) is in a normal condition, the abnormal condition determiningsection (63 b) determines that the wireless temperature sensor unit (13)is in an abnormal condition. Specifically, the condition (A) indicates acondition where the absolute value of the difference between themeasurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61) andthe measurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b) isgreater than or equal to a predetermined temperature differencethreshold (ΔTth). The condition (B) indicates a condition where themeasurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61) isless than or equal to a predetermined first temperature threshold (Tth1)or greater than or equal to a predetermined second temperature threshold(Tth2). However, the second temperature threshold (Tth2) is greater thanthe first temperature threshold (Tth1) (Tth1<Tth2). The condition (C)indicates a condition where the receiver unit (63) has received nosignal from the wireless temperature sensor unit (13). On the otherhand, if none of the conditions (A) to (C) is satisfied, the abnormalcondition determining section (63 b) determines that the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) is in a normal condition.

In this case, when the condition (A) is satisfied, a determination canbe made that the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in an abnormalcondition for the following reason. Specifically, the suction airtemperature sensor (61) measures the temperature of air actually drawninto the casing (30) of the indoor unit (12). That is why themeasurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61) isless likely to differ significantly from the actual room temperature.Meanwhile, the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) may be arrangednear any other heater, in the sunshine near a window, or at any othersimilar location. In this case, the measurement value (Tm2) of theambient temperature sensor (13 b) differs significantly from the actualroom temperature. Thus, if the measurement value (Tm1) of the suctionair temperature sensor (61) differs significantly from the measurementvalue (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b), a determinationcan be made that the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in anabnormal condition.

If the condition (B) is satisfied, a determination can be made that thewireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in an abnormal condition forthe following reason. Specifically, for example, if the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) is installed at a location having atemperature significantly different from the room temperature in theentire indoor space (500), the measurement value (Tm2) of the ambienttemperature sensor (13 b) is significantly different from the roomtemperature in the entire indoor space (500). If, in this state, air isconditioned based on the measurement value of the ambient temperaturesensor (13 b), the temperature of air in the entire indoor space (500)becomes excessively low or high. This results in that the measurementvalue (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61) becomesexcessively low or high. Thus, if the measurement value (Tm1) of thesuction air temperature sensor (61) is excessively low or high, adetermination can be made that the wireless temperature sensor unit (13)is in an abnormal condition.

If the condition (C) is satisfied, a determination can be made that thewireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in an abnormal condition forthe following reason. Specifically, for example, if the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) cannot transmit a signal due to a powershortage, the receiver unit (63) cannot receive a signal from thewireless temperature sensor unit (13). In addition, moving the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) out of the room by mistake, for example,may prevent a signal from the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) fromreaching the receiver unit (63). For these reasons, if the receiver unit(63) has received no signal from the wireless temperature sensor unit(13), a determination can be made that the wireless temperature sensorunit (13) is in an abnormal condition.

As shown in FIG. 5, if all of the following three conditions (D) to (F)are satisfied while the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in anabnormal condition, the abnormal condition determining section (63 b)determines that the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in a normalcondition. Specifically, the condition (D) indicates a condition wherethe absolute value of the difference between the measurement value (Tm1)of the suction air temperature sensor (61) and the measurement value(Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b) is less than thepredetermined temperature difference threshold (ΔTth). The condition (E)indicates a condition where the measurement value (Tm1) of the suctionair temperature sensor (61) is greater than or equal to a predeterminedthird temperature threshold (Tth3) and less than or equal to apredetermined fourth temperature threshold (Tth4). However, the thirdtemperature threshold (Tth3) is slightly greater than the firsttemperature threshold (Tth1) and less than the second temperaturethreshold (Tth2). The fourth temperature threshold (Tth4) is slightlyless than the second temperature threshold (Tth2) and greater than thethird temperature threshold (Tth1<Tth3<<Tth4<Tth2). The condition (F)indicates a condition where the receiver unit (63) has received a signalfrom the wireless temperature sensor unit (13). On the other hand, if atleast one of the conditions (D) to (F) is not satisfied, the abnormalcondition determining section (63 b) determines that the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) is still in an abnormal condition.

[Index Setting Section]

The index setting section (63 c) is configured to generate a signalserving as an index of indoor temperature, based on the measurementvalue (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b) and the measurementvalue (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61). The indexsetting section (63 c) determines either the measurement value (Tm1) ofthe suction air temperature sensor (61) or the measurement value (Tm2)of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b) to be a temperature indexvalue, based on the result determined by the abnormal conditiondetermining section (63 b). Specifically, while the abnormal conditiondetermining section (63 b) determines that the wireless temperaturesensor unit (13) is in an abnormal condition, the index setting section(63 c) determines the measurement value (Tm1) of the suction airtemperature sensor (61) to be the temperature index value. On the otherhand, while the abnormal condition determining section (63 b) determinesthat the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is not in an abnormalcondition, the index setting section (63 c) determines the measurementvalue (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b) to be thetemperature index value. Note that even while the abnormal conditiondetermining section (63 b) determines that the wireless temperaturesensor unit (13) is not in an abnormal condition, the index settingsection (63 c) may determine the measurement value (Tm1) of the suctionair temperature sensor (61) to be the temperature index value in somecases.

<Indoor Controller>

The indoor controller (66) is separate from the receiver unit (63). Theindoor controller (66) controls the rotational speed of the indoor fan(27), the orientations of the airflow direction adjusting flaps (51),and other elements, based on the measurement value (Tm1) of the suctionair temperature sensor (61) or the measurement value (Tm2) of theambient temperature sensor (13 b) which has been transmitted from thereceiver unit (63).

The indoor controller (66) includes the common input connector (66 a)having the same shape as the input connector (63 d). The common inputconnector (66 a) is selectively connectable to the control signal line(64) and the sensor signal line (62). The common input connector (66 a)is configured as, for example, a connector identical to the connectorconstituting the input connector (63 d). If none of the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) and the receiver unit (63) is provided, thesensor signal line (62) of the suction air temperature sensor (61) isconnected to the common input connector (66 a) as indicated by the chaindouble-dashed line shown in FIG. 4. In this state, the signal of themeasurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61) isdirectly fed to the indoor controller (66).

As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor controller (66) is connected to theoutdoor controller (28) through a connection signal line (67). Theindoor controller (66) is configured to transmit, to the outdoorcontroller (28), a signal of the temperature index value transmittedfrom the receiver unit (63).

The outdoor controller (28) controls the rotational speed of thecompressor (21) based on the signal of the temperature index valuereceived from the indoor controller (66), and performs other suitableoperations. For example, during a cooling operation, if the temperatureindex value is higher than a target temperature, the outdoor controller(28) increases the rotational speed of the compressor (21), whereas ifthe temperature index value is lower than the target temperature, theoutdoor controller (28) reduces the rotational speed of the compressor(21). For example, during a heating operation, if the temperature indexvalue is lower than a target temperature, the outdoor controller (28)increases the rotational speed of the compressor (21), whereas if thetemperature index value is higher than the target temperature, theoutdoor controller (28) reduces the rotational speed of the compressor(21).

The indoor controller (66) may be integrated with the receiver unit(63). The indoor controller (66) and the outdoor controller (28)constitute a controller.

Operation

How the air-conditioning device (10) operates will now be describedbelow. If a heating operation or a cooling operation is to be performed,the compressor (21), the outdoor fan (24), and the indoor fan (27) aredriven. In this manner, the refrigerant circuit (20) allows arefrigerant to circulate therethrough to perform a vapor compressionrefrigeration cycle. Thus, the cooling operation, the heating operation,or any other operation is performed. In this case, during the coolingoperation, switching the four-way switching valve (22) allows theoutdoor heat exchanger (23) to function as a radiator (condenser), andallows the indoor heat exchanger (26) to function as an evaporator. Onthe other hand, during the heating operation, switching the four-wayswitching valve (22) allows the indoor heat exchanger (26) to functionas a radiator (condenser), and allows the outdoor heat exchanger (23) tofunction as an evaporator.

Here, during operation of the indoor unit (12), rotation of the indoorfan (27) allows air in the indoor space (500) to flow through the inletopening (33) into the casing (30). The air that has flowed into thecasing (30) is drawn into the indoor fan (27), and expelled into theindoor heat exchanger (26). The air expelled through the indoor fan (27)is cooled or heated while passing through the indoor heat exchanger(26), and is expelled through the four main outlet openings (34) and thefour auxiliary outlet opening (35) into the indoor space (500).

In the indoor unit (12) performing a cooling operation, the indoor heatexchanger (26) functions as an evaporator to cool the air passingthrough the indoor heat exchanger (26). On the other hand, in the indoorunit (12) performing a heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger (26)functions as a condenser to heat the air passing through the indoor heatexchanger (26).

The indoor unit (12) is configured to expel conditioned air into theindoor space (500) such that the temperature of air in the indoor space(500) is equal to a predetermined target temperature. Here, the indoorcontroller (66) controls components of the indoor unit (12) based on thetemperature index value set by the index setting section (63 c). Forexample, the indoor controller (66) controls the rotational speed of theindoor fan (27) to control the flow rate of conditioned air expelledinto the indoor space (500). The indoor controller (66) individuallycontrols the positions of the four airflow direction adjusting flaps(51) to control the direction in which the conditioned air is expelled.

The outdoor controller (28) controls components of the outdoor unit (11)based on the temperature index value set by the index setting section(63 c). The outdoor controller (28) controls, for example, therotational speed of the compressor (21) to regulate the heating orcooling capacity of the air-conditioning device (10). The outdoorcontroller (28) further controls the rotational speed of the outdoor fan(24), switching of the four-way switching valve (22), the degree ofopening of the expansion valve (25), and other elements.

During the heating operation, a downward blowing operation in whichconditioned warm air is blown substantially downward, a horizontalblowing operation in which conditioned warm air is blown substantiallyhorizontally, or any other operation is performed. On the other hand,during the cooling operation, a swinging operation in which conditionedair having a relatively low temperature is blown while the airflowdirection adjusting flaps (51) are swung substantially between thehorizontal direction and the downward direction, a horizontal blowingoperation in which conditioned air having a relatively low temperatureis blown substantially horizontally, or any other operation isperformed.

Advantages of Embodiment

In the air-conditioning device (10) of this embodiment, if the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) that can be installed at an optionallocation in the indoor space (500) is not in an abnormal condition, themeasurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor (13 b) of thewireless temperature sensor unit (13) is used to control operation ofthe air-conditioning device (10). This allows air at the optionallocation in the indoor space (500) to be conditioned. On the other hand,if the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in an abnormalcondition, not the measurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperaturesensor (13 b) but the measurement value (Tm1) of the suction airtemperature sensor (61) of the indoor unit (12) is used to control theoperation of the air-conditioning device (10). This allows air in theentire indoor space (500) to be appropriately conditioned even if thewireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in the abnormal condition.

If the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) is not in an abnormalcondition, the measurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor(13 b) of the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) that is highlylikely to be arranged near a person in the room is used to control theoperation of the air-conditioning device (10). This can improve thecomfort of the person in the room.

If the measurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor(61) is significantly different from the measurement value (Tm2) of theambient temperature sensor (13 b), a determination is made that thewireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in an abnormal condition, andthe measurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61)is thus used to control the operation of the air-conditioning device(10). This allows air in the entire indoor space (500) to be moreappropriately conditioned.

If the measurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor(61) is excessively low or high, a determination is made that thewireless temperature sensor unit (13) is in an abnormal condition, andthe measurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61)is thus used to control the operation of the air-conditioning device(10). This allows air in the entire indoor space (500) to be moreappropriately conditioned, and can prevent the air-conditioning device(10) from being broken.

On the other hand, if the receiving section (63 a) has not received asignal from the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) yet, adetermination is made that the wireless temperature sensor unit (13) isin an abnormal condition, and the measurement value (Tm1) of the suctionair temperature sensor (61) is thus used to control the operation of theair-conditioning device (10). This allows air in the entire indoor space(500) to be more appropriately conditioned.

Variation of Embodiment

A variation of the embodiment will now be described. In this variation,a receiving section (63 a) and other suitable components are providedfor not a receiver unit (63) but a remote control unit for anair-conditioning device (10).

Specifically, in some cases, the air-conditioning device (10) includes aremote control unit (not shown) connected to an indoor unit (12) througha lead. In such a case, the receiving section (63 a) may be provided forthe remote control unit. In addition to the receiving section (63 a),either or both of an abnormal condition determining section (63 b) andan index setting section (63 c) may be provided for the remote controlunit.

Other Embodiments

In the foregoing embodiment, the abnormal condition determining section(63 b) and the index setting section (63 c) are provided for thereceiver unit (63). However, the abnormal condition determining section(63 b) and the index setting section (63 c) may be provided for, forexample, the indoor controller (66). In this case, the measurement value(Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor (61) may be transferredthrough the receiver unit (63) to the indoor controller (66), or may bedirectly fed to the indoor controller (66).

The receiving section (63 a) may be provided for the indoor controller(66). Additionally, the abnormal condition determining section (63 b)and the index setting section (63 c) may be provided for the indoorcontroller (66). In this case, a signal transmitted from the wirelesstemperature sensor unit (13) is received by the indoor controller (66).

In the foregoing embodiment, the air-conditioning device (10) includesonly one indoor unit (12). However, the air-conditioning device (10) mayinclude two or more indoor units (12).

In the foregoing embodiment, not only the main outlet openings (34) butalso the auxiliary outlet openings (35) are provided. However, theauxiliary outlet openings (35) do not have to be provided.

In the foregoing embodiment, the indoor unit (12) is configured to expelconditioned air in four directions. However, the indoor unit (12) may beconfigured to expel conditioned air, for example, in one or twodirections.

The indoor unit (12) may be not a ceiling-embedded indoor unit embeddedin the opening of the ceiling (501), but a ceiling-hanging indoor unithaving the casing (30) hung from the ceiling (501), a wall-mountedindoor unit, or a floor-mounted indoor unit.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the present invention isuseful for an air-conditioning device.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS 10 Air-Conditioning Device 12 IndoorUnit 13 Wireless Temperature Sensor Unit 13 b Ambient Temperature Sensor13 c Transmitter 28 Outdoor Controller (Controller) 61 Suction AirTemperature Sensor 63 Receiver Unit 63 a Receiving Section 63 b AbnormalCondition Determining Section 63 c Index Setting Section 66 IndoorController (Controller) 500 Indoor Space

1. An air-conditioning device conditioning air in an indoor space, thedevice comprising: an indoor unit drawing indoor air, adjusting atemperature of the indoor air drawn, and expelling the indoor air intothe indoor space; a suction air temperature sensor provided in theindoor unit to measure the temperature of the indoor air drawn into theindoor unit; a wireless temperature sensor unit separate from the indoorunit and separate from a remote control unit for the air-conditioningdevice, the wireless temperature sensor unit including an ambienttemperature sensor and a transmitter, the ambient temperature sensormeasuring an ambient temperature, the transmitter transmitting a signalof a measurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor by radio;a receiver receiving the signal transmitted by the transmitter, thereceiver configured to determine whether or not the wireless temperaturesensor unit is in an abnormal condition, based on a fact that apredetermined abnormal operation condition is satisfied; and acontroller configured to control an operation of the air-conditioningdevice based on a measurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperaturesensor if it is determined that the wireless temperature sensor unit isin an abnormal condition.
 2. The air-conditioning device of claim 1,wherein the controller controls the operation of the air-conditioningdevice based on the measurement value (Tm2) of the ambient temperaturesensor if it is determined that the wireless temperature sensor unit isnot in an abnormal condition.
 3. The air-conditioning device of claim 1,wherein the receiver is configured to, if the signal has not beenreceived from the wireless temperature sensor unit, determine that thewireless temperature sensor unit is in an abnormal condition.
 4. Theair-conditioning device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configuredto, if the signal has not been received from the wireless temperaturesensor unit due to a power shortage of the wireless temperature sensorunit, determine that the wireless temperature sensor unit is in anabnormal condition.
 5. The air-conditioning device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a display displaying that the wireless temperature sensorunit is in an abnormal condition if it is determined that the wirelesstemperature sensor unit is in an abnormal condition.
 6. Theair-conditioning device of claim 1, further comprising: an indoor fanprovided in the indoor unit and drawing air, wherein the controller isconfigured to control a rotational speed of the indoor fan based on themeasurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor if it isdetermined that the wireless temperature sensor unit is in an abnormalcondition.
 7. The air-conditioning device of claim 1, furthercomprising: an airflow direction adjusting flap provided in the indoorunit and adjusting a direction of supply airflow, wherein the controlleris configured to control an orientation of the airflow directionadjusting flap based on the measurement value (Tm1) of the suction airtemperature sensor if it is determined that the wireless temperaturesensor unit is in an abnormal condition.
 8. The air-conditioning deviceof claim 1, further comprising: an outdoor unit connected with theindoor unit and including a compressor, wherein the controller isconfigured to control a rotational speed of the compressor based on themeasurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor if it isdetermined that the wireless temperature sensor unit is in an abnormalcondition.
 9. The air-conditioning device of claim 1, wherein the indoorunit includes a plurality of indoor units.
 10. The air-conditioningdevice of claim 1, wherein the indoor unit is a ceiling-embedded indoorunit, a ceiling-hanging indoor unit, a wall-mounted indoor unit, or afloor-mounted indoor unit.
 11. An air-conditioning device conditioningair in an indoor space, the device comprising: an indoor unit drawingindoor air, adjusting a temperature of the indoor air drawn, andexpelling the indoor air into the indoor space; a suction airtemperature sensor provided in the indoor unit to measure thetemperature of the indoor air drawn into the indoor unit; a wirelesstemperature sensor unit separate from the indoor unit and separate froma remote control unit for the air-conditioning device, the wirelesstemperature sensor unit including an ambient temperature sensor and atransmitter, the ambient temperature sensor measuring an ambienttemperature, the transmitter transmitting a signal of a measurementvalue (Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor by radio; and a controllerconfigured to receive the signal transmitted by the transmitter,determine whether or not the wireless temperature sensor unit is in anabnormal condition, based on a fact that a predetermined abnormaloperation condition is satisfied, and control an operation of theair-conditioning device based on a measurement value (Tm1) of thesuction air temperature sensor if it is determined that the wirelesstemperature sensor unit is in an abnormal condition.
 12. Theair-conditioning device of claim 11, wherein the controller controls theoperation of the air-conditioning device based on the measurement value(Tm2) of the ambient temperature sensor if it is determined that thewireless temperature sensor unit is not in an abnormal condition. 13.The air-conditioning device of claim 11, wherein the controller isconfigured to, if the signal has not been received from the wirelesstemperature sensor unit, determine that the wireless temperature sensorunit is in an abnormal condition.
 14. The air-conditioning device ofclaim 11, wherein the controller is configured to, if the signal has notbeen received from the wireless temperature sensor unit due to a powershortage of the wireless temperature sensor unit, determine that thewireless temperature sensor unit is in an abnormal condition.
 15. Theair-conditioning device of claim 11, further comprising: a displaydisplaying that the wireless temperature sensor unit is in an abnormalcondition if it is determined that the wireless temperature sensor unitis in an abnormal condition.
 16. The air-conditioning device of claim11, further comprising: an indoor fan provided in the indoor unit anddrawing air, wherein the controller is configured to control arotational speed of the indoor fan based on the measurement value (Tm1)of the suction air temperature sensor if it is determined that thewireless temperature sensor unit is in an abnormal condition.
 17. Theair-conditioning device of claim 11, further comprising: an airflowdirection adjusting flap provided in the indoor unit and adjusting adirection of supply airflow, wherein the controller is configured tocontrol an orientation of the airflow direction adjusting flap based onthe measurement value (Tm1) of the suction air temperature sensor if itis determined that the wireless temperature sensor unit is in anabnormal condition.
 18. The air-conditioning device of claim 11, furthercomprising: an outdoor unit connected with the indoor unit and includinga compressor, wherein the controller is configured to control arotational speed of the compressor based on the measurement value (Tm1)of the suction air temperature sensor if it is determined that thewireless temperature sensor unit is in an abnormal condition.
 19. Theair-conditioning device of claim 11, wherein the indoor unit includes aplurality of indoor units.
 20. The air-conditioning device of claim 11,wherein the indoor unit is a ceiling-embedded indoor unit, aceiling-hanging indoor unit, a wall-mounted indoor unit, or afloor-mounted indoor unit.